HSG testing...how bad does it hurt?

[Anonymous]

The procedure was uncomfortable, but the cramping after was really bad. Take advil before you begin!

[Anonymous]

I had this procedure done this afternoon. This procedure was EXTREMELY painful for me, and I tolerate pain quite well due to 15 years of monthly painful cycles. I took ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory) before, as recommended.
I do not have any blocked tubes, so that theory is not always accurate. The radiologist was not heavy handed so I do not think that theory is always accurate either. I was very tense/anxious about the procedure itself and the resulting outcome, which may have had something to do with the extent of my discomfort. I did experience some spotting and moderate cramping for several hours afterwards.
You can read other people experiences all day but ultimately this procedure will be different for everyone.
Just try to not stress the procedure or outcome too much, STAY RELAXED as much as possible, and you will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Mine hurt a lot and I actually passed out right after. Apparently, sometimes it can stimulate the vagal nerve (remember Bush choking on the pretzel?) and cause you to pass out. I would also recommend a second test if blockages are shown because sometimes a spasm (from the pain) can read as a blockage. In my case, I had previous appendicits which can cause tubal scarring, but it turns out I have no blockages and it was just a spasm.

[Anonymous]

Guess it varies because I felt nothing at all. I went to Grovers Chsitie and Merriitt in DC. I wonder why it hurts for some and not others?

[Anonymous]

Mine was not that uncomfortable. The discomfort can depends on if you have blocked tubes. I didn't find the prep for it that uncomfortable, similar to a pap smear. I felt a mild cramp, like menstrual cramps, when he injected the dye. Afterwards, I felt fine. Good luck with yours!

[Anonymous]

I have my first one coming up next month at SG - but I have Dr. Widra and when he prescribed it he said "don't go reading about this beforehand. About 10% of people have a lot of pain, but it seems like 100% of those 10% go on the internet to talk about how awful it is." Also he's biased, but he suggested I do it at SG since they do so many that he predicts I'll have less chance of pain and it will go faster. We'll see if I'm in the 10% or not.

[Anonymous]

I had mine at SG and it was really painful for 5 seconds when the doctor tried to push the dye in. My tubes are normal so I don't think pain only happens with blocked tubes. Dr Wildra is right though that it goes very fast. My whole procedure took only 2 or 3 minutes and they took a whole bunch of photos. Afterwards, I had some dye leaking but no further discomfort whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

I have had 2 done --both at Community Radiology. Do take the recommended Tylenol (and antibiotics) ahead of time. It hurt like the worst cramps I can imagine, but I knew that it would be over in a minute, so you can just do some deep breathing and focus on that. The nurse who was assisting the radiologist and RE was also super comforting and was right there taking my mind off of things. once they take the catheter out, the pain goes away immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have my first one coming up next month at SG - but I have Dr. Widra and when he prescribed it he said "don't go reading about this beforehand. About 10% of people have a lot of pain, but it seems like 100% of those 10% go on the internet to talk about how awful it is." Also he's biased, but he suggested I do it at SG since they do so many that he predicts I'll have less chance of pain and it will go faster. We'll see if I'm in the 10% or not.

Just wanted to say when I was TTC I was also a Widra patient...had my HSG through SG and it was nothing at all! No pain and it was so quick. I hope it's the same for you. I also conceived the same cycle. Best of luck.

[Anonymous]

I've had two done at SG. Both were painful for me. After the first one I was still shaking in the car 15 minutes later. They did see that I had tubal blockage. The second one they inserted a balloon in addition to the dye - and then the tube clearly opened up. I was pregnant the next month and am due to give birth next week. The short-lived physical pain is nothing compared to the emotional pain of infertility. You can do it...

[Anonymous]

I just had this procedure done yesterday. I read so many awful things on the Internet about having an hsg that I was scared to death. My ob gyn also said it would hurt. However, 30 min bf the hsg I took really strong pain meds and I have to say it did not hurt at all. It was just like a pap test with very mild cramping. There was a dr. And a radiologist in the room. From the time I layed down until it was over last about 2 min. When it was over, I actually asked, "was that it?" please don't work yourself up about this. Think positive and take pain pills beforehand. It is not that bad and you get results told to you immediately. I hate anything painful, I won't even get a tattoo bc I'm afraid, and this test is not painful just a little uncomfortable. Be encouraged.

[Anonymous]

i had hsg in september and took 4 ibuprofins (1000mg) prior to procedure and did not experience any pain. my test results were clear...tubes open, nothing unusually shaped, no polyps or cysts. i conceived in october but the pregnancy was ectopic. i realize it's probably impossible but i cannot help but feel like the test caused my ectopic. i didn't have problems with getting pregnant either...just with recurrent miscarriage so i feel like my doctor ordered it for no good reason. i feel it was unnecessary unless he was planning to recommend we proceed on to iui or ivf. now i'm down a tube and out a lot of money.

[Anonymous]

I had mine at Washington Radiology (not by my doc...I was directed there by an initial consult w/Shady grove) and it was AWFUL. The doctor did not seem to care, and I think I just got someone bad. So yes, get pain meds and use your own doc if at all possible. It is quick.

[Anonymous]

I just had an HSG at SG Rockville on Friday. I was scheduled for 8:50am, got there at 8:15 when they said to be in by 8:20. I was in my car going back to work at 8:44. It took a few min and the most discomfort was from the speculum. I had a bit of discharge, spotting that day, but was fine by dinner. I did take 2 advil about an hour before.

On the downside, the woman before me walking out looked like she was in pain, walking slowly.

[Anonymous]

The HSG was really painful for me. I wish they had sedated me, seriously. But after it was done, I had no pain.